A PASSENGER rail service through Middlewich has been described as ‘tantalisingly close’ following confirmation that the MidCheshire Rail Link is part of a Local Transport Plan.

Cheshire West and Chester Council confirmed last Thursday that plans were being put together to reopen the rail link between Northwich and Sandbach, passing through Middlewich.

The announcement was made in a CWAC scrutiny committee meeting, which outlined that plans for delivery of the service would begin by the end of March or April.

Cheshire East Council has already pledged support for the reopening of a railway in Middlewich. It has put aside land for the development of a new station.

Passenger services have been non-existent in the town since January 1960, but Middlewich First town councillor Samantha Moss hopes this will change now CWAC and CEC support the line.

Cllr Moss, following a meeting at Northern Rail with campaign chairman Stephen Dent, said: “As the service is in half in east Cheshire and half in west Cheshire, we welcome the latest announcement of support for our campaign.

“We’ve already done a lot of work at this point, and now it is about securing the funds.

“Northern Rail have asked to see us, we haven’t spoken to them, but as they are a franchisee they can do little at this point but have given us lots of excellent information.

“Everybody is excited about the plan and we are ready to go.”

The estimated cost to open the line is at £5 million, the campaign team also want to improve disabled access, particularly at Northwich.

It is hoped that the opening of the rail link will not only provide a much needed service in Middlewich, but will also boost the local economy.

Cllr Moss said: “We know that Middlewich currently has problems with its traffic.

“So to give people another route out of town would allow students to travel to college, bring in outside business and add a way for tourists to see what the town has to offer.”

Crewe Town Council recently added its support to the campaign, which means it now has the backing of all five east Cheshire town councils, as well as MPs.